Shutdown in Kashmir, separatist leaders under house arrest

Srinagar, Aug 8 (IANS) Authorities put several separatist leaders under house arrest Friday even as a complete shutdown crippled life here. Senior separatist leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Shabir Ahmad Shah were put under house arrest by the authorities to prevent their proposed march to the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOG) in this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

The separatist leaders had announced their march to the headquarters of UNMOG to present a memorandum against the alleged economic blockade of the Kashmir valley and the harassment of the minority Muslim community in the Jammu region.

Another senior separatist leader and chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik is in the intensive care unit of Soura Medical Institute here after his condition deteriorated Thursday morning. Doctors attending on him said his condition was now stable.

All markets, educational institutions, banks and public transport remained closed here Friday.

Attendance in government offices was thin because of the non-availability of public transport in the city.

The supply of mutton and poultry was also hit as the valley depends entirely on Rajasthan and Delhi for its mutton supply. The local production of sheep is too low to meet the requirement.

According to reports, life was totally thrown out of gear in the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam because of the shutdown. But there was no report of any untoward incident till noon.

Markets also remained closed in north Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal.

The shutdown which entered its fourth day Friday began following the death of a protesting youth in the Maisuma locality of the city Tuesday.